Chapter 38: The Heat

"So…" Jingfei mumbled, walking into a puddle that Kai had previously walked around. The two hadn't been walking for long, only around five minutes, but Kai was taking him to a restaurant. Yige Yuehui. Jingfei had his arms swinging to the side, while Kai had his arms crossed over his chest.

The two hadn't been talking for the walk, the sounds of cars and laughter filling the dull silence. Kai barely gave him a glance. Was Kai mad at him? Probably.. Kai always had a reason to be mad at Jingfei. If it was because he was late, or because he was being too talkative. There was always a reason for Kai to hate him. Jingfei will guess that this was just another reason.

"So, is that why you had an enlightenment?" Kai asked. When he looked at Jingfei, he had a light smile on his face, before it turned into a frown. Jingfei, however, sustained his bright smile, happy that Kai was atleawst smiling. He nodded. "Yeah, I guess. I'm a vampire, I have to dress the part now, huh." Jingfei laughed softly, but Kai gave him a confused look. "You're supposed to look the part? Why? You shouldn't have to change your style just cause you drink blood?"

Kai's expression was both disgusted and saddened. But Jingfei questioned which one was directed towards him. "It's just…. A thing." Jingfei shrugged. Kai laughed softly, M.jshaking his head. As they got to Yige Yueui, Kai opened the door, and instantly a young girl in an apron ran up to him. Before she could hug him, however, Kai put his hand in front of her. "No." Kai said simply, before walking past her. Jingfei hesitantly followed.

"Why did you do that to the little girl?" Jingfei mumbled. His voice was soft with a hint of worry. They came up from behind Jingfei, sliding onto Jingfei's side of the booth when he was down. Kai sat down opposite of him as the little girl looked between the two. She wasn't little, instead a teenager. But still, to Jingfei she was little.

"Yingying, leave. I have to talk to my friend about something important." Kai grumbled, stressfully combing a hand through his hair before leaning his head on his hand. He looked at her with an exasperated expression. It took Yingying a moment to understand before she rolled her eyes and sat up. "Fine, I'll actually be a good citizen of Hong Kong by working." Yingying said slowly and teasingly, before standing up and walking to another side of the diner. Jinfgfei watched her go for a minute before he turned back to Kai. "Is that your sister?"

"Sadly.." Kai muttered back. Jingfei smiled softly. Jingfei was an only child, and he was pretty lonely. Sadly, most board games required a second person, which Jingfei never had. He barely had friends. "Anyways, can I ask you something?" Jingfei asked, gaining Kai's attention. At first the blond was looking down, his vibrant blue eyes looking for something on the wooden table that separated them, before daringly looking up at Jingfei, who was smiling at him slightly. It made Jingfei lose his train of thought.

"So…. uh…. How did you… uh… not recognize me?" Jingfei asked, slowly regaining his memory after the sudden brain fart. Kai looked at him silently for a few more seconds, before his eyes went back to the table. Jingfei sat up straight, his shoulders back and head tilted to look at Kai. However, Kai leaned his head on his hand, which was propped by his elbow. His head was tilted low, and though his hair cut prevented his eyes from being covered, his entire face was shadowed slightly from the golden light that hung above each table.

"I did, didn't I? If I didn't I would be dead-" "No you wouldn't. Please, please stop saying that." Jingfei slightly tightened his loose shirt with his fist. Not in threatening a way, but Kai took the note to stop. "Sorry. You just seemed so different, though? You seemed a lot more confident, more mysterious, more flirtatious. It was like the entire room was a positive magnet, and you were the negative piece." Kai explained, and though it took a moment for Jingfei to understand Kai's simile, once he did he sighed.

"No one was looking at me. The only one who was, was you?" Jingfei said, as the same young girl walked up to them. Before she was in earshot, Kai whispered something. "No I wasn't. You were just only paying attention to me."

The girl walked up to them, skipping her way over of course. SHe smiles at Jingfei, before turning to stick her tongue out at Kai. He only rolled his eyes. "What can I get for you guys as a drink?" She asked, taking her pad out. Jingfei lightly shook his head, waving his hands to get his point across. "Oh- uh.. I don't-"

"We already ate. I just wanted to chill here." Kai explained, casually placing his hands on the table. Kai seemed to be able to lie so easily, it confused him a little. His sister looked at them curiously, before humming. "Fine, I'll still get you some water." She muttered, looking suspicious, before walking away, her heels clicking softly. Kai turned to look out the window. Jingfei looks down at his hands that sit stiffly in his lap. He lightly tapped his fingers on his palms. Suddenly, a tsunami of realization drowned Jingfei's body in a single wave. A wave of guilt and pain.

For all Jingfei had done to Kai, he's still not mad. He was so calm and relaxed about it, so calm. It hurt Jingfei to the core. Because he knew, there was no reason why he should be calm. He should be yelling at JIngfei with all his might, screaming to leave his sight. He should never want to see Jingfei again, never want to be near him. Yet here he was, calm as a flower sitting in the breeze. Jingfei didn't deserve that flower.

"I'm.. sorry.." Jingfei whispered, looking down. Kai turns his head to look at Jingfei with confusion. "Sorry? For… what?" Kai asked. Jingfei didn't say anything, his mouth forcibly glued shut by mere fear for his next words. Jingfei's next words were soft and fearful. His voice was brittle and hurt. His heart ached with guilt, guilt for almost hurting his friend. He doesn't deserve to be let off like this. Jingfei lets a shaky breath escape his pale lips.

"Jingfei, are you okay?" Kai asked, slight worry in his ocean blue eyes. Barely there, barely present, but still. Hidden under an opaque mask, the only opening was the eyes, where his worries resided. Jingfei lowered his head once again, clasping one hand over the other to tighten his grip slightly. He could handle the pain.

Kai seemed to notice what Jingfei was doing, and stood up. He grabbed his bag that had sat on his side. Jingfei knew it. He was leaving. Kai would leave him. He still believed that Jingfei would have killed him, didn't he? Jingfei probably would. Even if Chan and Ying were both there. He could have been dead, on the ground. Or hurt. He would have been unconscious, lying there on the cold pavement, until someone found him or he woke up himself. He would be freezing, cold, and confused. And it would all be Jingfei's fault.

Suddenly, warmth drowned out the cold ocean water. Creating a line that divided the beach and the frozen waves. Frozen waves of guilt and anguish freezing into nothingness. The lingering tingles of the cold waves went to the tips of Jingfei's fingers, the rest having melted. JIngfei looked up, seeing Kai's plaid sleeve wrap around Jingfei's chest. Jingfei smiled.

"Thank you for not leaving."

Kai laughed softly, and for once, Jingfei listened. Listened to his breathy and air filled laugh. It warmed his heart just a little. Kai continued to hug Jingfei, no matter what. And Jingfei didn't stop him. Jingfei never would.

"Never say sorry or thank you to me again."